[Discuss] Verizon wireless "mandatory" dataplan

[gaf at blu.org (Jerry Feldman)]

On 07/08/2012 11:20 AM, Jerry Natowitz wrote:
> We are currently one of the few families who have Verizon wireless
> service without a smart phone, or a data plan.  My daughter wants a
> new phone, but the only phones that she will consider are smart
> phones, which require a data plan, usually $30/month or more.  She
> doesn't want the smart phone features, she wants the higher quality
> keyboard.
>
> She did some research and found that the data plan requirement only
> applies to phones purchased from Verizon or an associated dealership.
> She found a place selling the Palm Pre, which it claims can be used on
> Verizon without a data plan.  I did my research and found people
> claiming that if you buy your own iPhone (but nothing about the Palm)
> and use it on Verizon, you will automatically be charged $30 a month
> for data.
>
> Also, my daughter currently texts, sends and receives photos, and some
> emails all within her unlimited texting allowance.  Some people say
> that smart phones will use the network stack rather than MMS service
> for emails and photo/sound/video.
>
> So my questions are:
>
> 1) Does Verizon automatically "upgrade" you to a data plan if you
> register a Palm Pre on its network?
>
> 2) Will the Palm Pre use the network stack rather than MMS, causing us
> to pay for network usage even if we don't use the web browser, or an
> email client?
In general not. But, she will need to get a texting plan. I'm not a fan
of the Palm Pre in that I'm not sure how long it will be produced by HP.
But, it does have a hard QWERTY keyboard. You just have to make sure
that the Palm Pre is compatible with Verizon's CDMA network.
Additionally, you may be better off with T-Mobile of MetroPCS.

-- 
Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Boston Linux and Unix
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